OAKLAND, Calif -- Education Pioneers, a national network of leaders and entrepreneurs committed to improving leadership within public education, but outside the classroom, today announced it received a $7.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant will allow Education Pioneers to attract and develop more than 500 professionals, many of whom are specifically trained in data and analysis, to work in school districts, public charter organizations and state departments of education. This is the largest grant Education Pioneers has received in its eight years of operation. This award showcases the emerging trend of attracting and placing more talented professionals into education leadership positions-a priority that was until recently overlooked.